16 cases of Rape, 64 of molestation reported in J&K during Lockdown
Yasmeen Manzoor
Srinagar: Despite Country being under strict nation-wide lockdown imposed by government officials to combat the deadly Coronavirus, the huge spike in women persecution be it rape cases, molestation or domestic violation was witnessed including in the union territory Jammu and Kashmir.
A total of over 587 cases of crime against women were reported across the country during the past month wherein the capital of the country, New Delhi touted as the rape capital of the world after the infamous Nirbhaya gang rape and murder in 2012 recieved 21 cases of rape, certainly a significant surge from 396 complaints received between February 27 and March 22, reported India’s National Commission for Women (NCW).
Pertinently, Union territory Jammu and Kashmir also saw a surge in the women assault cases, as the report submitted by the state government in the Court revealed that 16 cases of rape, 64 cases of molestation and one case of eve-teasing have been reported during the lockdown period.
Moreover, between the month of March-April when country continued to be in lockdown, as many as 1314 calls have been received across the union territory from the affected persons on the emergency number 181, out of which 65 were related to violence against women, reports revealed.
In Melancholy, Just few days back throbbing rape cases have been reported as a six-year-old girl was sexually abused before her eyes were gouged out and was left to die while a 53-year-old visually challenged banker was attacked and raped at her home in Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal.
Meanwhile, in the same state a terrifying incident of rape case happened in a village where 19-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by seven men, including three minors when she returning back to home along with his brother who was attacked by the accused.
All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice (AICHLS) in its plea has sought safeguarding measures for the victims of domestic violence and child abuse amid the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which has claimed 1230 deaths and 37’412 confirmed positive cases with 26’11 5 active and 10’063 recoveries so far.(KNB)
